NHS services in Cheshire and Merseyside under rising pressure during cold weather

NHS services across Cheshire and Merseyside were under pressure on 9 January 2025, with demand for primary care, hospital services, mental health and emergency services continuing to rise, according to North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust¹. The trust said hospitals across the region were seeing high numbers of sick patients, including those with existing chronic respiratory conditions, which it said are often made worse by cold weather¹.

The trust said the current amber Cold-health alert had been extended until 9am on Tuesday 14 January across the north west region¹. It said expected low temperatures were likely to increase use of health services by vulnerable people, and to raise the risk to health for people aged 65 and over, those with pre-existing conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and some vulnerable groups such as people sleeping rough¹.

The trust encouraged people to use NHS 111 online as the first point of contact for non-urgent medical advice, saying it can direct people to urgent treatment centres, GP practices and pharmacist consultations, arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic, or give self-treatment advice by phone, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week¹. It said urgent treatment centres and walk-in centres provide same-day medical help when a problem is not a life-threatening emergency, and that some centres would be operating reduced hours during the new year bank holiday¹. It also listed 24/7 mental health crisis helplines by area, and a dental helpline for Cheshire and Merseyside on 0161 476 9651 for people whose dental practice is closed or who are not registered with one¹.

The trust's advice for cold weather included heating rooms that are regularly used, such as the living room and bedroom, to at least 18°C if possible, drinking hot drinks regularly when feeling cold, and not sitting still for more than an hour at a time¹. It also suggested spreading sand or salt on icy driveways, garden paths and steps, wearing layers, shoes with good grip and gloves, and keeping a small supply of basic medicines such as paracetamol, plasters and indigestion remedies for minor illnesses or injuries at home¹. It advised drawing curtains in the evenings, tucking long curtains behind radiators, and keeping radiators and heaters clear so warm air can circulate¹.

Why it matters for households

The extension of the amber alert to 9am on Tuesday 14 January means the period of raised health risk for older people, those with heart and lung conditions and people sleeping rough covers the north west region for several more days¹. Households in Cheshire and Merseyside are affected through both the health risk and the pressure on services: the trust reported rising demand across primary care, hospitals, mental health and emergency services, and said hospitals were seeing high numbers of sick patients including those with chronic respiratory conditions¹.

The trust's stated route for non-urgent advice is NHS 111 online, with 111 available by phone around the clock, including textphone access on 18001 111 through the Relay UK app and interpreter help by asking on 111¹. It said community pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and self-care are available as alternatives to emergency departments, and that GP appointments remain available by contacting practices in the usual way¹. It also pointed readers to UKHSA, NHS seasonal advice and Every Mind Matters for further information¹. The health emergencies hub covers wider planning for health incidents.

What happens next

The amber Cold-health alert runs until 9am on Tuesday 14 January, after which its status has not been reported¹. The trust said some urgent treatment and walk-in centres would run reduced hours during the new year bank holiday, and directed people to NHS 111 or its list of centres to check opening times¹.